10 (or possibly more!) things to do when you retire!

03/10/2008

In reply to the letter from a lady in East Sussex who has just retired and wondered about the direction she should take in her life, I do sympathise as I retired two years ago myself.

 

First, make yourself as secure as possible by downsizing or at least putting your money into Granny Bonds with some in a building society. Budget within your pension/ income.

 

Then do rash things – think back to your childhood and the things you enjoyed and would like to do now. Write down all your dreams and the places you want to visit. Then try a relevant club, class and book it up. Move to where you want to live. Don’t think of yourself as old – you’re younger now than you’ll ever be.

Don’t worry, be happy. You will probably live until you’re ninety, so you have a third of your life ahead of you. Don’t feel guilty about looking after your own needs, just say to yourself, “I’ve earned it, I’ve worked hard for it, I deserve it”.

There are plenty of people to help you – U3A, Adult Education, Bus pass, Senior railcard, Voluntary work, Help the aged, Age Concern, village activities, health club, library, coach trips, travel agents.

 

Just do it – practice makes perfect.

 

One word of warning, don’t take on too many commitments, or life will become as stressful as work used to be.
 
Jane Weymouth, West Sussex